You’re Not Behind
You’re Not Behind There’s a quiet fear that sneaks in on homeschool moms — often unannounced, uninvited. We start feeling behind on homeschooling. It sounds like this: We should be doing more. Everyone else is ahead. What if I’m missing something important? . . . “IS MY CHILD BEHIND?” It usually shows up when you scroll.Or when someone casually mentions what their child can already do.Or when a birthday passes and the expectations feel heavier than they did last year. Dear one: You are not behind. The Myth of the Invisible Timeline Somewhere along the way, motherhood and education were assigned an invisible clock.A checklist that no one remembers agreeing to but everyone feels measured by. But children aren’t checklists. And learning is not a race with a starting gun. Especially in the early years. Especially with gentle homeschooling. The truth is: much of what we call “being behind” is simply being different. Different temperaments. Different seasons. Different needs. Different rhythms. Every child is different. Different is not deficient. Learning Happens in Layers, Not Lines Gentle learning doesn’t move in straight lines. It spirals. A child may: What looks like nothing happening is often deep internal work. There are roots growing. And don’t you know that roots always grow underground first? Presence Over Performance If your days include: You’re not wasting time. You’re building the very foundation that learning stands on. Children are naturally curious in their preschool and kindergarten years and they just need a guide. Your child needs you more than curriculum. Connection before content.Security before skill.Wonder before worksheets. This isn’t delay. This is beautiful by design. As the one who sets the pace and tempo and checkpoints for your home, you’re designing the learning environment piece by piece. Faithfulness Looks Small (and That’s Okay) Faithfulness in these years often looks unimpressive by the world’s standards. It looks like: The world often measures progress by quick results. Scripture reminds us that fruit grows slowly—and quietly. And it grows best when it’s rooted, not rushed. Tending your child’s heart and mind in the early years is a lot like growing fruit: slow and steady, with love and care, patience and time. Even the child who makes intuitive leaps quickly or grasps new concepts readily will only flourish all the more when given space to do so. If You Need a Reframe Today Here it is: You are not behind on homeschooling. You are growing, becoming, learning. Your child is unfolding, blossoming, reaching. Learning is happening in ways you won’t even fully recognize until later. Gentle education is not about getting ahead. It’s about staying aligned: with your child, your values, the season you’re in. So take a breath. release unnecessary expectations, and trust that God is at work in the slow, faithful days. You’re not behind on homeschooling. You’re just where you need to be. God bless.
Do I Need an Accredited Homeschool Curriculum?
Do I Need an Accredited Homeschool Curriculum? It’s back-to-school season, and I’ll be honest — I love it. The backpacks, the fresh pencils, the scent of new notebooks. I’m a sucker for pretty pens and crisp notepads with hopeful margins. Even after years of homeschooling, even with our curriculum already chosen, I still feel the siren call of shiny new books and whispered what-ifs. And if you’re just starting out, that pull can feel even stronger — especially when you start seeing terms like “accredited” homeschool curriculum floating around. It sounds official. Important. Maybe even required. But what does it really mean? And does it matter — especially if you’re homeschooling in Texas? Let’s talk about it. What Does “Accredited” Actually Mean? “Accredited” is one of those words that sounds very official — like a golden stamp of approval. But here’s the truth: accreditation isn’t a guarantee of quality, and it’s not even something homeschoolers are required to care about. In fact, it’s often misunderstood altogether. Accreditation is a voluntary process that applies to schools, not to individual families. It’s a way for a private or online school to say, “We meet the standards of a particular organization.” That organization — not a government agency — sets the benchmarks and decides what “counts.” Here’s what most people don’t realize:– A homeschool curriculum itself is not accredited. It’s the school or program that uses the curriculum that might be.– These standards are designed for institutions — not the gentle rhythm of a family learning together at the kitchen table. So if you see a homeschool curriculum advertising that it’s “accredited,” what they often mean is: We are part of (or offer enrollment through) an accredited private school program. Which is great… if you’re looking to outsource your homeschool to someone else. But if you’re planning to teach your child yourself, you don’t need that layer of oversight. Who Accredits These Programs — and What Are They Looking For? Accreditation isn’t handled by the government. It comes from private organizations — like Cognia, ACSI, or NCPSA — that review schools and programs based on their own standards. Those standards usually focus on things like:– Curriculum alignment with state standards– Recordkeeping and grading– Teacher qualifications– Testing and assessments It’s all designed for institutions — schools with classrooms, administrators, and report cards. These accrediting bodies aren’t elected, public, or parent-driven. They exist because some programs choose to submit to their system — not because they hold any real authority over you as a homeschooler. Accreditation tells you how a school operates — not how well it will serve your child at home. What Texas Law Actually Says About Homeschooling If you’re homeschooling in Texas, you are not required to use an accredited program. You’re not required to register with the state, submit test scores, or report attendance. In fact, you’re legally recognized as a private school — with full authority to choose how and what your child learns. This freedom comes from the landmark 1994 court case Leeper v. Arlington ISD, which ruled that Texas homeschools qualify as private schools as long as:– You teach in a bona fide (genuine) manner– You use a written curriculum– You cover five subjects: reading, spelling, grammar, math, and good citizenship That’s it. No licenses. No approval. No outside oversight. And definitely no requirement for accreditation. Private schools in Texas — including homeschools — are not subject to accreditation laws. It’s completely optional, and most homeschooling families choose not to pursue it because they don’t need to. You have full authority under Texas law to decide what counts as school. And that freedom is powerful. Why Accreditation Doesn’t Automatically Mean Better It’s easy to assume that “accredited” means safer, stronger, or more trustworthy. But when it comes to homeschool curriculum, that’s not always the case. In reality, accredited programs often come with:– Higher costs– Less flexibility– Standardized pacing that may not fit your child– Heavy testing or grading requirements– A one-size-fits-all structure Some families do well with those systems — especially in the high school years. But many younger learners (and their parents!) find them overwhelming, rigid, or just not a good fit. Accreditation doesn’t make a curriculum better. It just means it’s been reviewed by a particular organization for a particular purpose. The real question isn’t “Is it accredited?” It’s: “Does this help my child grow in wonder, wisdom, and confidence?” When Accreditation *Might* Matter To be honest? In over 20 years of homeschooling, I’ve never personally known another homeschool family who cared whether a program or curriculum was accredited. We all did the same thing:– Taught our kids using the materials that fit them best– Adjusted when something didn’t work– Created our own transcripts– Helped our teens prep for the SAT, ACT, or placement exams And our kids got into college. Colleges don’t ask, “Was your curriculum accredited?” They ask, “Can this student succeed here?” There are a few rare cases where accreditation might matter:– Re-enrolling in public school midstream– NCAA athletic eligibility But even then — there are usually workarounds. For most families, especially in Texas, accreditation just isn’t necessary. What I Look for Instead I’ve never once chosen a homeschool curriculum because it was accredited. Not once. Instead, I look for the things that actually matter in the day-to-day:– What does it teach — and how does it teach it?– Who created it — and what worldview does it reflect?– Is it adaptable? Flexible? Gentle? Challenging?– Does it make sense for my child and our rhythm?– Will it support comprehension — not just completion? These are the questions that have shaped our homeschool. Not whether someone else thinks a curriculum “counts,” but whether it works — for us. You don’t need a seal of approval to follow the Holy Spirit’s leading. You don’t need outside validation to watch your child come alive with understanding. And neither do you. “But What If My Child Falls Behind?” No grades? No report cards? No formal oversight?
Gentle Homeschooling Starts Here
If you’re looking for a simple place to start… Over the last 20 years of homeschooling, I’ve heard the same question asked in a dozen different ways:“What do I need to buy for my 3-year-old?”“Which subjects should I cover?”“Do I need to start phonics now?”“What curriculum should I use for preschool?” And behind every question, I hear a mama’s heart trying to do the right thing. Often, first-time homeschoolers feel pressure to do all the things — to check every subject box, to buy the big box curriculum, to recreate public school at the kitchen table. It’s no wonder that preschool, of all things, starts to feel heavy. But now, as I find myself in the preschool years again — this time with two decades of homeschooling behind me — I see it differently. This time, I have more wisdom.This time, I have more clarity.This time, I’m choosing a gentler start. Our days are shaped by play, by rhythm, by stories and nature walks. We learn through baking and block towers and chasing butterflies. We follow the wonder. The Gentle Start Guide was born from that shift. When Preschool Feels Too Complicated — Start Here It’s for the mama who’s asking, “Shouldn’t this be easier?”Yes, it should — and it can be. If you’re not sure where or how to begin…If you’re weary of expensive curriculum and rigid schedules…If you want your home to feel more like a safe haven than a schoolroom…If you want to protect the sacred magic of early childhood… This guide is for you. And the best part? It’s free. A gift for every new subscriber. By signing up, you’ll also unlock full access to the Secret Library — a growing collection of gentle homeschooling resources — and you’ll be the first to hear when new support tools are released. You’re already listening to your heart by asking the right questions. Now take the next step. Embrace this journey with gentleness and joy. Subscribe now and download your Gentle Start Guide.Because homeschool beginnings don’t need to be big to be beautiful.